iwlwifi does not detect present 802.11n networks

I just got a new laptop, and the iwlwifi driver it's using is not detecting 802.11n networks that I know are there. My old laptop, which is also using the iwlwifi driver, is currently connected to that network less then 2 feet away. The old laptop has kernel 3.4.4, whereas the new one has kernel 3.4.7. Is that the problem, or is it the card?

The difference? The first is brand new and for sure handles N (it's in the name even ) and uses the iwlwifi driver, while the second was one of the first wireless cards out there and as such it's oooooold and uses the ipw2200 driver.

Re: iwlwifi does not detect present 802.11n networks

You're reading things that are not there mate. 802.11n is both a 5 GHz and a 2,4 GHz standard. The old IPW 2200 only does 802.11bg. Had one myself.

I know that. Are you saying the new 2200 only does N at 2.4GHz?

Oh, and I not only had an IPW 2200, I still have it! . Actually, I have an IPW 2915, which also does 802.11a in addition to 802.11bg. It uses the same ipw2200 driver though.

Edit: Did a bit of googling, the new 2200 indeed only does N at 2.4GHz. Let me just say that this is totally and completely insane. It's so insane I couldn't imagine such a thing could even exist.

It's a billion dollar company. What do you expect? I found out yesterday Microsoft actually has a 16 GB memory limit on Windows 7 Home Premium. You need a Pro version to use more. There I was, telling my friend to get 32 GB for his video editing rig.

As for daenyth's card, convention has it that bgn is 2,4 GHz only. An a(b)gn card can do both 2,4 GHz and 5 GHz. You don't need to check specs for that. It's sad indeed, but there are still plenty 2,4 GHz-only 802.11n cards around. This new laptop I got a few months back came with one, and that wasn't a 300 EUR netbook.

Re: iwlwifi does not detect present 802.11n networks

Just a side note: To be able to get full N speeds at 300 Mbps, the access point itself also needs to support at 802.11a including 802.11n, not just wireless controller in your laptop. The "a" mode works at 5Ghz band supporting more channels. If access point only support 802.11n and not the "a" mode then you would not be able to get full 300 Mbps locally because it will fall back to 2.4 Ghz band running with 3 channels -- which always gets a lot of interference from neighboring wifi access points resulting in dropped speeds of 130-150 Mbps.

Last edited by bassu (2012-11-10 14:35:04)

The greatest threat to knowledge is not ignorance - it is the illusion of knowledge!